25 February 2014

Ex-Blackburn boss loving new life in Brunei
FORMER Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean said he was loving his new life in Brunei and hoped to stay for the “long haul” after being talked into the unusual move by the oil-rich sultanate’s sports-loving crown prince.
Kean joined obscure DPMM Brunei in October, 13 months after ending a torrid, two-year spell at Blackburn marked by fan protests and relegation from the English Premier League.
And he said he had no regrets about swapping industrial northern England for Southeast Asia’s tiny, tropical Brunei, a footballing backwater but one of the world’s wealthiest countries per capita.
“I’m very happy in Southeast Asia. I would like to be here for the long haul,” said Kean, after opening his DPMM account with a 1-0 win over Albirex Niigata in Singapore’s S-League.
“I would like to stay here and develop our club and I think football is only going to get bigger here in years to come, so I’d like to stay.”
His DPMM tenure got off to a winning start on Saturday thanks to a first-half penalty from Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo Tosi, in front of about 1,000 fans at Singapore’s Jurong East stadium.
With Brunei’s 400,000 population and domestic football too small for DPMM’s ambitions, they compete in the S-League in Singapore, meaning a two-hour flight for every away game.
It’s a far cry from the English Premier League, where Kean’s Blackburn would play in front of tens of thousands of fans watching some of the biggest names in football.
But equally, the Scot is unlikely to experience the vitriol that marked his time at Blackburn, where he was targeted by demonstrations and frequently greeted by “Kean out!” banners.
Kean endured sustained fury from fans after he was promoted in place of the sacked Sam Allardyce by the club’s owners, Indian poultry firm Venky’s, and oversaw relegation in 2012.
He said he had turned down leads with other clubs including Millwall after meeting Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, DPMM’s owner and one-time goalkeeper, and first in line to the throne.
“At first I spoke with the crown prince and with the management of the club and they told me the ideas that they had for DPMM,” the 46-year-old said.
“It wasn’t necessarily the S-League as such that attracted me but when I spoke with the crown prince and they told me how they want to take the team, how they want to improve the local players, how they want to try and help coach the coaches.
“That’s going to be a part of my role as well, helping the coaches that we have in Brunei.”
Kean said that backed by the crown prince, who has represented Brunei at pool, he hopes to win the S-League not just this season, but next year as well, as well as Singapore’s cup competition.
Based on Saturday’s disjointed performance against well-drilled Albirex, that may be ambitious, although Kean said Irish imports Roy O’Donovan and Joe Gamble would soon settle.
“We’ve committed to the league for the next two years, we want to win it for the next two years,” said Kean.
He added that he had “good control” over the team, with the crown prince allowing him to bring in players and set up the team as he wishes.
“I love it. I’ve got good control as far as letting the management and the crown prince know what players I want to take on board, how we want to play,” he said.
“Our facilities in Brunei are exceptional. And I think we’ve got a tight group. We’ve got a good team spirit.”
However, Kean also did not rule out an eventual return to England or Scotland – although presumably, Blackburn will not be high on his list.
“I never closed any doors but now that I’m here I’m enjoying it, the players are responding to the coaching sessions that we’re putting on for them, and long may that continue,” he said.

STEVE Kean bagged a winning debut as DPMM FC head coach after guiding the team to a 1-0 victory in the Singapore-League (S-League) yesterday.
Brazilian Rodrigo Tosi converted a first half penalty to lift Brunei’s only professional team to a 1-0 victory over Albirex Niigata at the Jurong East Stadium in Singapore.
The Brazilian midfielder was brought down by Albirex custodian Kazuki Kishigami before stepping up to take the spot kick in the 15th minute.
DPMM FC goalkeeper Azman Ilham, who stood in for the suspended Wardun Yussof, protected the scoreline for the team with a string of brilliant saves to keep a cleansheet.
DPMM FC star signing, former Sunderland striker Roy O’Donovan, came close to putting his name on the score sheet in the second half but saw his header bounce wide, according to The Straits Times.
The victory puts DPMM FC joint top with three-time defending champions Tampines Rovers, who had edged Home United FC 1-0 in the curtain raiser, which also doubled as the Charity Shield, at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday.
DPMM FC next host the Warriors at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas next Friday.
A meeting with Home United at the Bishan Stadium follows on March 14 before taking on the defending champions on March 23.
The other match yesterday saw Hougang United and Woodlands Wellington play out a 2-2 draw at the Hougang Stadium.
Igor Cerina put the hosts infront in the 17th minute before Taufiq Rahmat equallised for Woodlands seven minutes later.
Hougang regained the lead through Fazli Jaffar in the 32nd minute to carry a 2-1 lead into halftime.
Moon Soon-Ho ensured Woodlands would take a point out of the game after finding the back of the net in the 69th minute.
The opening week continues today with two more matches.
The Young Lions (Singapore national Under-23 team) will go up against Balestier Khalsa at the Jalan Besar Stadium while Warriors and Geylang International will go head-to-head at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium in Singapore.
The last match of the opening round see Harimau Muda B welcome Tanjong Pagar United at the Pasir Gudang Stadium in Johor, Malaysia tomorrow.

18 February 2014

DPMM FC players are good to go for their Singapore League opener on Saturday against Albirex Niigata (S) FC at the Jurong East Stadium in Singapore.
A mandatory fitness test was held at the Mini Stadium in Jerudong on Sunday to determine if the players were eligible to compete in the league and Ampuan Nurul Azami was the only player who failed.
Known as the Cooper test, players were made to cover a distance of 2.4km in under 10 minutes. The passing mark was set at 10:15 last season.
The new 15-second improvement in standard was brought about as only five per cent of the total S-League playing population clocked 10 minutes or more during tests conducted last year.
The assessment marks a move away from the much-criticised beep test which was used by the S-League in 2012.
A gauge of cardiovascular fitness, the multistage beep test required the players to run between 20m spaced cones, with their speed increasing in accordance to increasing beeps.
“Ampuan was sick on the day and he will do the second test next week. Other than that, we are all good to go for the match against Albirex,” said DPMM FC striker Shahrazen Said in an interview with The Brunei Times last night.
The team’s import players impressed with Joseph Gamble, Roberto Alviz and Bosnian defender Boris Raspudic completing the test in under nine minutes. Shahrazen was the only local player to manage the task.
The four players were given a $100 reward for their achievement.
“All the players are physically ready and fit for the league and I hope that the team will be able to gel and unite throughout the season,” said Shahrazen.
DPMM FC will play Warriors FC in their second game on February 28 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas before travelling to Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore to play Home United on March 13.
They next host defending champions Tampines Rover FC on March 23.
The club confirmed on Tuesday that they will be getting Irish striker Roy O’Donovan to join the other imports – Brazilian striker Rodrigo Tosi, midfielders Gamble (Ireland) and Alviz (Croatia) and Bosnian defender Raspudic.
The former Sunderland striker, who is set to arrive from English League Two (fourth division) side Northampton Town, was on trial with DPMM FC for more than a week last month.
Steve Kean, the former manager of Blackburn Rovers, will be leading the Sultanate’s only professional club this season following the dismissal of Croatian Vjeran Simunic.
Kean got a first-hand look at O’Donovan before DPMM FC left to Thailand to compete in a pre-season friendly tournament, the 2014 Phuket Saksee Cup.
DPMM FC defeated Nakhon Si Heritage 3-1 in their first match on Jan 25 before falling 2-0 to Phuket FC a day later.
Their only other pre-season friendly was on Jan 31 when they played to a 0-0 draw against Malaysia FA Cup titleholders Kelantan at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
DPMM FC finished runners-up in the 2012 edition of the S-League, winning the League Cup for a second time.
It was their best finish to date.
Their 2013 campaign was not as successful, finishing eighth and falling to a 4-0 loss to Balestier Khalsa FC in the League Cup final in September.

IT took a full revamp for Najip FC to turn things around.
They lost all their games in the inaugural season of the DST Super League last year but fast forward to the present and they are a perfect three for three to start off this year’s campaign.
Najip kicked off their unbeaten run in the Super League with a 2-0 win over Kilanas FC on Feb 3.
They made it back-to-back victories with a hard fought 2-1 triumph over Wijaya FC last Sunday.
Najip then shot to the top of the 10-team table after a 3-0 victory over the Royal Brunei Police Forces Sports Council (MS PDB) on Wednesday.
What is the difference? A new roster with only one remaining player and a change of management was the answer.
Najip FC‘s mixture of experienced and young players proved to be the winning formula to the early season.
Head coach Johari Hj Bungsu gives credit to his players for their brilliant start in this year’s campaign but he knows he can’t count his chickens before they hatch.
Johari insists that the big guns – Indera SC, Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB), QAF FC and Majra FC – are still the teams to beat.
“There is good teamwork from the players and all of them are committed to training. They have been working hard since the beginning of November last year,” said Johari in an interview with The Brunei Times on Saturday.
“We have a good mix of players, both young and old. What we are trying to do is for the youth to learn from their seniors.
“Our target is a top-five finish. No doubt winning the first three games of the season is very good but there is still a long way to go,” he said.
“For now everyone is working hard to try for consistency. We want to maintain our winning ways.
“It will be a challenge to see how everyone will respond when results don’t go our way as we can’t win them all.
“We are thankful for all players, committee members, players and fans for their support on and off the field,” continued Johari.
Najip roped in young blood such as Md Aminuddin Zakwan Tahir, Abdul Al-Wardi Abdul Hamid and Mohd Azri Zahari during the off season and paired them with seniors captain Md Karimurizal Kasmi, Abang Norsilmy Abang Hj Taha, Muhd Yusuf Salleh, Mohd Nooraimi Karim and Helman Hanafizal.
Najip manager Hj Abdul Rahman Hj Ali felt that the backing behind the team also played a role in their change of fortunes.
“There is great teamwork by the players. We are also getting a lot of support from all committee members,” said Hj Abd Rahman
Parents are giving strong support as well.
“There is plenty of backing this year and everyone is working hard to get good results,” he added.
“There are no expectations for me. I just want us to win to get all three points at the end of the match regardless of the scoreline,” concluded Hj Abd Rahman.

12 February 2014

DPMM FC’s search for a marquee signing is over after the club yesterday confirmed they will be getting Irish striker Roy O’Donovan.
The former Sunderland striker, who is set to arrive from English League Two (fourth division) side Northampton Town, was on trial with DPMM FC for more than a week last month.
O’Donovan’s signing will complete DPMM FC’s import contingent which includes Brazilian striker Rodrigo Tosi, midfielders Joseph Gamble (Ireland) and Roberto Alviz (Croatia) and Bosnian defender Boris Raspudic – all of whom officially put pen to paper during last Thursday’s player and sponsor signing ceremony for the upcoming Singapore League (S-League) season.
Though club officials could not give a date as to when the 28-year-old O’Donovan will join his new teammates, Steve Kean already knows what the striker can provide the team.“Roy is a speedy player and likes to play off the shoulder of a defender and make runs behind” said the DPMM FC coach yesterday.
“If we have two similar strikers… Two big men… That would be predictable, so with the contrast, we can keep the defenders thinking,” he added after yesterday’s training session at the Jerudong Mini Stadium.
O’Donovan is expected to join strikers Shahrazen Said and Tosi in Kean’s starting-11, with Kean already saying he will be basing his attack around the Brazilian – who was the only import the club retained from last season.
A vastly experienced footballer, O’Donovan has featured in the Scottish Premier League as well as in the top four tiers of professional football in England.
A former League of Ireland championship winner with Cork City, O’Donovan finished as the competition's top scorer during his two-year stay with the club from 2005 to 2007.
He moved to Sunderland, then under the charge of countryman Roy Keane, after early interest from Fulham.
He then played at six different clubs before moving to Northampton Town on a free transfer in January 2013.
Despite being out of action for two months last September after undergoing a hernia operation, Kean said he has no concerns about his newest player’s fitness level.
“Roy is very fit and conscientious about fitness,” said Kean.
“He works a lot on injury prevention and he can be someone the local players can look up to as a role model,” added the Scotsman.
Kean got a first-hand look at O’Donovan before DPMM FC left to Thailand to compete in a pre-season friendly tournament, the 2014 Phuket Saksee Cup.
DPMM FC defeated Nakhon Si Heritage 3-1 in their first match on Jan 25 before falling 2-0 to Phuket FC a day later.
Their only other pre-season friendly of note was on Jan 31 when they were held to a 0-0 draw against Malaysia FA Cup titleholders Kelantan at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas – which provided the 18,000 crowd their first look at Kean and the team.
DPMM FC start their S-League campaign against Albirex Niigata (S) FC on Feb 22.
Many had thought that the club would unveil a marquee player during last Thursday’s player and sponsor signing ceremony, but when asked on the matter, Kean said the club had no need to rush into things.
“We will take our time, however long that takes, until we get the right one (marquee),” he said in a previous report in The Brunei Times.
“The biggest thing is the attitude of the marquee player. He has to be here for the right reasons.
“It’s more important that he fits in with us, it’s not a case where whoever is going to come in, we have to change what we have been doing.
“I’ve always said that he has to be here to play, work and to win.
“Sometimes you can be a little bit rushed in your decision making and then sometimes it doesn’t work out right.”
DPMM FC changed imports mid-way through last season, and their fans must be hoping that the move for O’Donovan – and the other imports for that matter – will, as Kean said, “work out right”.

07 February 2014

DPMM FC coach Steve Kean is not worried he doesn’t have a marquee import player yet.
Singapore League (S-League) rules allow for a maximum of five imports each team, and DPMM FC already have four.[Related story: DPMM FC sign new deals]
The transfer window closes on March 22, and DPMM FC start their S-League season a month earlier on Feb 22 against Japanese side Albriex Niigata (S) FC.
Kean, the new DPMM FC coach, believes he already possesses a balanced squad through a mix of young and old local players - as well as the four imports that have been already been brought in.“I think we can go all the way because we certainly have a competitive squad,” Kean told the local press yesterday.“We will take our time, however long that takes, until we get the right one (marquee).Kean did admit that it’s not an ideal situation but “as long as you get the right type”, that’s all that matters.“The biggest thing is the attitude of the marquee player. He has to be here for the right reasons,” said Kean.“It’s more important that he fits in with us, it’s not a case where whoever is going to come in, we have to change what we have been doing.“I’ve always said that he has to be here to play, work and to win.“Sometimes you can be a little bit rushed in your decision making and then sometimes it doesn’t work out right,” said Kean following yesterday’s signing ceremony for players and sponsors.Mitsubishi Corporation, Brunei Shell Marketing Co, Maju Motors, DST Group, Royal Brunei Airlines, Sri Sentosa and Sports Partnership Pte Ltd officially signed deals with the club yesterday, the companies maintaining ties with DPMM FC that have stretched back for years.When asked about how he could repay the sponsors’ for their investment in the club, the Scotsman said he was ready to take on the responsibility to deliver.“We are confident with the way we have been working, the way we have been training,” said Kean.“I’ve told the guys from day one that were in this to win the championship.“I think the fans can see that we’re possibly playing a little bit different to how we did last year,” said Kean.Kean has put DPMM FC through three pre-season matches leading up to their S-League opener, playing out one win and one loss to Thailand clubs last month and a goalless draw against Malaysian Super League side Kelantan last week.“The important thing is to be solid and I think we saw that when we went up against Kelantan,” said Kean, who after the game, said he would base his attack around Brazilian striker Rodrigo Tosi.“Against Phuket FC (which the team lose 2-0) it was fine. The result wasn’t great but the performance was good.“We had a penalty we thought we didn’t get, which was just one of those things.
“At that stage, the most important thing was the physical side.“This week, we have been training on the physical loading but after this week we will start to taper it down and start to work much more technically and tactically leading up to the first game,” added Kean.Kean will be heading over to Singapore tonight to learn more about Albirex while they take on the Warriors in a friendly match.
After their game against Albirex at the Jurong East Stadium in Singapore, DPMM FC will take on Warriors on Feb 28 in their first home game of the season at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.“I’ll be on a spying mission” he jokingly added.
The Brunei Times

DPMM FC held their annual player and sponsor signing ceremony for the 2014 Singapore League (S-League) season yesterday.
Four foreign players were among the team of 23 that inked their names onto contracts yesterday, after which representatives from Mitsubishi Corporation, Brunei Shell Marketing Co, Maju Motors, DST Group, Royal Brunei Airlines, Sri Sentosa and Sports Partnership Pte Ltd also signed on as sponsors.[Related story: No Marquee player? Not a problem for Kean]
The ceremony at the Red Jade Room of the Centrepoint Hotel in Gadong was witnessed by DPMM FC vice-chairman YAM Pg Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pg Anak Haji Abdul Rahim Pg Indera Mahkota Pg Anak (Dr) Kemaludin Al-Haj.
Brazilian striker Rodrigo Tosi was the only foreign signing that the club retained from last season, with Brunei’s premier football club officially signing midfielders Joseph Gamble (Ireland) and Roberto Alviz (Croatia) as well as Bosnian defender Boris Raspudic as new imports this season.
Gamble - who learnt of DPMM FC through ex-DPMM FC player and friend George O’Callaghan - made the move to Brunei’s most notable football club as he is looking to gain experience playing outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
“O’Callaghan recommended me to come here because it’s a very good club with great facilities, and a club that will look after you in terms of the environment that you train in,” Gamble told The Brunei Times yesterday.
“Also a big reason for the move was the coach, Steve Kean, as I have known him from my time at (current Championship side) Reading as a youngster from 2000-2004,” said Gamble.
“So put all that together and it’s a new experience for me, and one that I don’t think I could have said no to.
“It’s been very good and tough so far, as pre-seasons are, but we’ve had a trip to Thailand and the matches that we played were quite good,” said the 32-year-old.
DPMM FC defeated Nakhon Si Heritage 3-1 in their first match of the 2014 Phuket Saksee Cup on Jan 25 in Thailand before losing 2-0 to Phuket FC a day later in the same tournament.
They also showcased their play in front of the home crowd last Friday in a 0-0 draw against Kelantan at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas – their first home game of the season.
“I think we look good on the field… Very strong and organised, but I think there is still more to come from us,” said Gamble.
“I think training has been really good because most of the stuff we have done has been new to the Brunei players… New for me and new for all of us.
“We’re trying to get new training ideas and training methods that will hopefully make us better on the pitch, so we will perform better to get better results - which is what we’re here for,” added Gamble.
Alviz, who is close to reaching his second month with DPMM FC, was recommended through a friend of his agent to try out with the club.
“I heard many positive things because many Croatian players have played here before, and ex-DPMM FC coach Vjeran Simunic has also said many positive things about the team,” said Alviz.
“I’ll try to do my best and try to play my football, and as I build up my career with them, I hope we can produce good results,” added the midfielder.
Raspudic said he is satisfied with how pre-season has gone and thinks that DPMM FC have a team capable of performing well this season.
“I think we have a good team to fight with the other teams in the S-League,” said Raspudic.
“We have about 18 days to get ready for the season, and I will give 100 per cent of my body to represent this team, myself and my country.”

02 February 2014

DEFENDING champions Indera Sports Club (SC) kicked off their DST Super League campaign with a 3-2 victory over Jerudong FC at the Berakas Sports Complex last night.
The titleholders now top the table with three points ahead of Wijaya FC, who defeated Majra United 1-0 at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
“I am very happy that we got three points in our first game of the tournament,” said Indera coach Hj Omar Hj Mohd Jamil in an interview with The Brunei Times after the match.
“It is very important for us to not drop any points early in the season as the other teams have all got stronger and better this year.
“Our fitness level is not there yet and we can see in the second half that Jerudong was pretty much in control of the game.
“We didn’t have enough training for this tournament so I told my players to get as much goals in the first-half.
“In the second-half I changed the formation from 4-4-2 to a more defensive 4-5-1 and we managed to prevent Jerudong from scoring for 45 minutes until they scored their second late in injury time,” he added.
Indera made a bright start to the game after getting themselves ahead in what might be the fastest goal in the league when their striker Mohd Asri Hj Aspar made a great run from the left, dribbled past a few players, before blasting the ball into the top corner in the first minute.
The 18-year old Asri doubled Indera's lead just eight minutes later, this time linking very well with Mohd Iqmal Hakeem Abdul Hamid - who set Mohd Khayrun Salleh free down the right flank to deliver a great cross for Asri, who tapped the ball home from close range.
Mohd Nurikhwan Othman made it 3-0 in the 23rd minute when he beat Jerudong goalkeeper Mohd Aiman Abdullah from just outside the penalty box.
Indera continued to control the game but Jerudong were no pushovers as they kept trying to break Indera's defence with their swift counter attacks.
They were finally rewarded for their efforts when they were given a penalty in the 33rd minute following a reckless challenge by Indera defender Mohd Rakin Ramli inside the penalty.
Dahlan Hj Zainuddin calmly slotted the ball home to give Jerudong hope for a comeback in the second-half.
Jerudong dominated the first 20 minutes of the second half with Mohd Asnawi Syazni Abdul Aziz coming close to score after he was set through inside the penalty box, but the 17-year old would send his shot just wide.
Jerudong once again came close to find the net when Mohd Faizul Ambotang’s brilliant curling shot from 30 metres out was spectacularly saved by Indera's goalkeeper Ak Omar Nur Aqamaddin Pg Hj Salehuddin.
Indera would regain their rhythm midway through the second-half with their fluid passing and organised defence.
Mohd Asri squandered a chance to score his third and Indera’s fourth five minutes before the time, but his weak attempt went straight into the safe hands of Mohd Aiman.
Jerudong, however, got their consolation goal late in injury time through Mohd Enddy Soehardy Sapar.
DST Super League action will continue today with three matches.
The Royal Brunei Armed Forces Sports Council (MS ABDB) will take on Liang Lumut Recreational Club Football Team at Padang Arena in Seria at 4pm.
QAF FC will play Royal Brunei Police Forces Sports Council (MS PDB) at the Berakas Sports Complex while Kilanas FC will go up against Najip FC at the Balapan Track and Field.
Both games will start at 8pm.

DPMM FC dominated last night’s friendly against Kelantan but couldn’t hit the back of the net in the 0-0 draw.
The game was part of the team’s pre-season training for their Feb 22 Singapore League match against Albirex Niigata, and the hosts started off by shifting gears ahead of Kelantan to take control.
The match also offered the sizable crowd at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas their first look at new coach Steve Kean, who took over the reins in November from Vjeran Simunic.[Related story: Kean set to base attack around Brazilian striker]
DPMM FC trial player Nathan Fontaine set up the first shot of the match for Rodrigo Tosi, which was quickly countered by a dangerous tackle leading to a penalty kick in the fifth minute.
Fontaine stepped up to take the shot from the spot kick but unfortunately failed to put enough power behind the ball giving Kelantan’s Muhamad Syazwan Yusoff an easy save.
The duo of Fontaine and Tosi linked up again once more creating a one-two play that led to a shot that just flew wide of the post from Fontaine a minute later.
Kelantan’s Mohd Khairul Izuan Rosli created their best chance at goal during the 19th minute when he was about to take a shot at goal before he was quickly shut down by DPMM FC’s defence.
DPMM FC were handed two free-kicks in a span of two minutes following a fouls in the 22nd minute, though both chances saw them lose the ball after careless mistakes.
Muhamad Syazwan was posing to be a threat to DPMM FC as he continued to save shots at goal.
Tosi tried to chip a shot over Muhamad Syazwan, but his quick jump to save it saw the ball hit the woodworks in the 40th minute.
Another on-trial player with DPMM FC, Frederic Nimana’s header was on the receiving end of a deflection but Muhamad Syazwan managed to knock the ball out of play.
DPMM FC suffered another hit after a goal was disallowed during injury time.
The first 15 minutes of the second half played out slow before Tosi sent in a screamer outside the box to get everyone on their feet.
Kelantan start to fight back by putting pressure upfront, though DPMM FC’s defence continues to hold them back from goal.
Tosi spectacular play continued as he sent a perfect pass to Nimana who went on to chase the ball down before sending a piercing shot to Muhamad Syazwan’s gloves in the 66th minute.
DPMM FC’s on-trial player Andrea Augusto Mendoza carried on with Nimana’s vicious attacks after replacing him, Mendoza outpaced three of Kelantan’s defenders before sending in a stinger in the 70th minute.
Mendoza once again out ran the Kelantan defence a minute later but still couldn’t find the back of the net.
Leading up to the final minutes, DPMM FC’s Azwan Ali Rahman knocked in a perfect cross into the box to the feet of Azwan Salleh.
The latter was given a wide open shot after the ball sailed over the keeper but still failed to hit the back of the net in the 87th minute.
After their game against Albirex, DPMM FC will take on Warriors FC on Feb 28 in their first home game of the season at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
They will then travel to the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore to play Home United on March 13 before hosting defending champions Tampines Rover FC on March 23 in a true test of their title credentials.
DPMM finished runners-up in 2012 in their best season in the S-League. They also won the League Cup for a second time in 2012 but suffered a change of fortunes last season, finishing eighth in the S-League and losing in the League Cup final.